Route of ascent and descent: Came up along the path from Watermillock church, which leaves the road at NY432433. Descended down to Dockray, a route which has a very clear path these days.

What Mr Wainwright says (from page 2 of his chapter): “Gowbarrow Fell is one of the best known of Lakeland’s lesser heights, much of it being National Trust property and a favourite playground and picnic place. It is not the fell itself that brings the crowds, however, and its summit is lonely enough: the great attraction is Aira Force, on the beck forming its western boundary.”

A walker prepares to take a photograph on the summit of Hallin Fell. Ullswater is below, Gowbarrow Fell in the background. Picture taken on walk 32.

What I say: Aira Force is worth a visit, yes (see the picture on the walk 48 page). The view of Ullswater is also very fine, though you need to walk half a mile south from the summit to get the full effect. Despite being the third summit reached on this walk, which positioning often results in a more ‘meh…’ view of a particular fell, to reach this fell required a longer, more interesting and more involved walk than either of the Mell Fells, so it did capture the attention. One to explore, then, rather than just bag and forget about.